Construction of a £650,000 tourist cycling route around Pleasley, Derbyshire has begun.
According to Derbyshire County Council, the project, which received £404,000 funding from the rural development programme for England, aims to not only boost cycling in the area but also promote the heritage of North Derbyshire and North Nottingham.
The initial phase will start at Pleasley Pit County park and progresses into three and a half miles of trails. The council said work is expected to be completed by spring 2021, but could be affected by coronavirus or the weather.
Councillor Simon Spencer, cabinet member for highways, transport and infrastructure,Derbyshire County Council, said: “The works were originally planned to start in March 2020, but due to the coronavirus pandemic they had to be delayed. So we are delighted we can now start the first phase of these exciting plans.
“We believe these plans will unlock the fantastic potential the north east of our county has to be a tourist attraction for cycling holidays and weekend breaks. Since the coronavirus pandemic struck, there has been an increase in interest in cycling and getting active in nature, so this project gives a significant boost to an already fantastic local network of trails and countryside sites.”
Furthermore, the Skegby Trail will be awarded £150,000 to improve three-quarters of a mile of its route.
